Sunday Dinner

Growing up on a dairy farm Sunday really was the only day my parents would take the day off.  Sometimes we would go for a ride in the 1950 Chevy to see what other farmers were up to.  A few times we would visit Kane, where my mom grew up.  There was a little snack bar (that's what hot dog and ice cream parlors were called) near Kinzua that we would stop at.  Now those trips were few, maybe only once a summer.  Other trips we would go to Sinclairville, NY to visit my dad's cousins,  Floyd and Edna, they also were dairy farmers.  I guess even today people stay in their own familiar circle of entertainment.  Mostly our Sundays were staying home while dad worked on projects that didn't require hard work.  Mom would sew, knit or set on the porch swing while she made Sunday dinner.  It was always in mid afternoon we ate, that way they could relax before night time milking.  Remember I said they took the day off.  Never was milking included in the day off.  Those cows needed milked twice a day, fed and let out to pasture.  In the winter the barn needed cleaned and fresh bedding in the stalls.  What I meant was day off from the rest of the hard work that was in the daily routine.  Of course if it was haying season or planting fields of corn and oats then no, Sunday was not a day off.  Even around Cook'n by the Creek Sunday is usually a day to relax, go visiting or take walks.  Like the big farmers we still have to be around morning and night for the horses and chickens.  What would we do without our barnyard friends.....they keep us moving.

Sunday dinner is always better to share with family or friends.  Last Sunday we were lucky to have our grandson, his friend and our granddaughter stop in to eat with us.  It was a typical "Della Sunday Dinner".  I roasted a small chicken (no, not one of my girls) that had been seasoned with salt and pepper at 400 degrees until golden brown and the juices ran clear.  After it cooled a bit I cut the breast off, legs and thighs to serve.  The rest of the carcass went into the stock pot to simmer for about 30 minutes.  Straining it and then adding chopped celery, onion, carrots and one bay leaf I cooked until vegetables were just tender.  The meat from the carcass what put back in the stock pot.  With a cup of the broth I added enough flour to make a roux to thicken the broth.  More salt, pepper, a dash of garlic powder and 1 cup of garden peas it turned into a nice vegetable gravy.  Next I made the dumpling dough which is 2 cups of flour, 4 tsp of baking powder, 1 tsp salt mixed together, then cut  in 2 TBSP of shortening (I use lard but Crisco is fine) to that mixture I add enough milk to make a loose dough that is dropped by spoonfuls (spoonfuls or spoonsful,you see my choice) into the simmering gravy.  Cover and let cook for about 20 minutes or until the dumplings are fluffy and done on the inside.  Don't take the cover off before 15 minutes to check, otherwise it will make a heavy dumpling.  Some prefer heavy dumplings but we like the light and fluffy ones.   That's it, served with the baked chicken, winter squash from the garden and cranberry sauce.

A guy's plate.

The cooked dumplings with paprika
sprinkled on top.  My mom loved to
put paprika on salads, potatoes and
dumplings, like the final touch of
goodness.

 It must have been good because chatter turned to silence as dinner was served.  I love to see people eat and enjoy the food I cook. We had a good time and lots of laughs, the young hearts give so much joy to us.  Like I said, it is much nicer to share the Sunday dinner with others.  These three visitors made my day.  It's so easy "to pass it on".

If you read an earlier post about the German Spaghetti Ice Cream I must tell you.  We made it and it was delicious and fun to share with family.  It turned out better than I ever expected and easy to make.   It was so good we will be making it again when other family and friends come to visit.


Ice cream pushed through a can with holes punched in the bottom and
 put back in the freezer for 30 minutes, then strawberry puree on top
and shaved white chocolate.